The largest multinational European birth cohort study on food allergy with gold-standard diagnostic methods showed that the mean adjusted incidence of HEA was considerably lower than previously documented, although differences in incidence rates among countries were noted. Half of the children with documented HEA gained tolerance within 1 year postdiagnosis.

The rate of vertical transmission is highest among preterm infants with a birth weight of <1500 g. Vaginal colonization with Ureaplasma organisms is associated with premature delivery. Colonization of the respiratory tract of infants is associated with the development of CLD and with increased mortality.

The rate and risk factors of maternal and neonatal GBS colonization may vary in different communities. These rates, as well as the incidence of neonatal disease, need to be thoroughly evaluated in each country to allow the most appropriate preventive strategy to be selected.

Breast milk is the gold standard of nutrition for newborns. Its composition is tailored to the nutritional needs of the infant and varies between mothers. In recent years, several bioactive molecules have been discovered in addition to the main nutrients, such as multipotent stem cells, hormones, immunoglobulins, and bacteria. Furthermore, the human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) seem to exert several important protective biological functions. According to the HMOs’ composition, breast milk can be classified as a secretory or non-secretory phenotype. In our study, we investigated the metabolome of milk collected from 58 mothers that delivered neonates at term, that were appropriate, small or large for gestational age, by performing nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR). From the data analysis, two groups were distinguished based on their different types of oligosaccharides, and classified according the mother phenotype: secretory and non-secretory. This information is of major importance given the different biological function of the different HMOs, such as immune-modulation and protection against disease. This would allow us to predict whether the neonate would be, for instance, more prone to developing certain diseases, and to tailor her or his nutrition to fit their needs perfectly and pave the way to a personalized nutrition.

BACKGROUNDIn the absence of breast-feeding and its immunomodulatory factors, supplementation of starter infant formula (IF) with probiotics is currently used to support immune functions and gut development.AIMTo assess whether immune-related beneficial effects of regular dose (107 CFU/g of powder) of the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis CNCM I-3446 (hereafter named B. lactis) in starter IF supplementation can be maintained with starter IF containing a low dose (104 CFU/g of powder) of B. lactis.METHODThis trial was designed as a pilot, prospective, double-blind, randomized, single-center clinical trial of two parallel groups (n = 77 infants/group) of C-section delivered infants receiving a starter IF containing either low dose or regular dose of the probiotic B. lactis from birth to six months of age. In addition, a reference group of infants breast-fed for a minimum of four months (n = 44 infants), also born by C-section, were included. All groups were then provided follow-up formula without B. lactis up to 12 months of age. Occurrence of diarrhea, immune and gut maturation, responses to vaccinations, and growth were assessed from birth to 12 months. The effect of low-dose B. lactis formula was compared to regular-dose B. lactis formula, considered as reference for IF with probiotics, and both were further compared to breast-feeding as a physiological reference.RESULTSData showed that feeding low-dose B. lactis IF provides similar effects as feeding regular-dose B. lactis IF or breast milk. No consistent statistical differences regarding early life protection against gastrointestinal infections, immune and gut maturation, microbiota establishment, and growth were observed between randomized formula-fed groups as well as with the breast-fed reference group.CONCLUSIONThis pilot study suggests that supplementing C-section born neonates with low-dose B. lactis-containing starter formula may impact immune as well as gut maturation similarly to regular-dose B. lactis, close to the breast-feeding reference.

Enteral L-arginine supplementation of 1.5 mmol/kg/d bid can be safely administered in VLBW neonates from the 3rd to the 28th day of life. Enteral L-arginine supplementation appears to reduce the incidence of stage III NEC in VLBW infants. Larger studies are needed to further evaluate the effect of L-arginine supplementation in preventing NEC in VLBW infants.

(a) Folate serum concentrations in Greek and Albanian mothers and in their neonates were similar, (b) vitamin B(12) serum concentrations, evaluated for first time in these ethnic groups, were significantly low in Albanians, both in mothers and newborns, (c) the low protein and especially the reduced animal protein intake from the Albanian mothers, possibly due to their low socio-economic status, may be responsible for their decreased vitamin B(12) serum concentrations and (d) vitamin B(12) supplementation along with an increase of animal protein intake might improve the vitamin serum status in the Albanians.

Aim: To evaluate selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) concentrations in Greek and Albanian immigrant mothers and in the cord blood of their newborns. Subjects and methods: From 1118 Greek and 820 Albanian mothers and from the cord blood of their neonates blood was obtained for Se and Cu measurement. Se and Cu concentrations were determined in sera with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAAS) and atomic absorption spectrometry, respectively. In all, 30 days' nutrient intakes were evaluated in both groups. Results: Animal protein, Se and Cu intakes were poor in the Albanians vs the Greeks (Po0.001). Se concentrations in the Greek mothers (68.378.5 mg/l) and in their newborns (37.0278.9 mg/l) were found higher as compared with those in Albanian mothers (37.479.9 mg/l) and in their newborns (34.379.1 mg/l) (Po0.001). Cu levels were also found higher (Po0.001) in the Greek mothers (16877353 mg/l) and in their neonates (449787 mg/l) compared with those in the Albanian mothers (9597318 mg/l) and in their newborns (229767 mg/l). Additionally, 31.5% of neonates born to Albanian women with Se concentrations less than 28 mg/l had higher Se levels (Po0.01) than their mothers. Conclusions: The low Se and Cu levels evaluated in the Albanian mothers and their newborns could be related to their poor animal protein intake which could be the consequence of their low socioeconomic status. As an effective preventive measure, accurate dietetic strategies to assess the requirements of pregnant immigrant women for trace elements may be planned in Greece.